RAF Typhoons intercept PIA flight after onboard incident

Two UK Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoons have been scrambled to escort a Pakistan International Airlines Boeing 777-300ER which was diverted to London Stansted airport after an incident on board.

The fighter jets were dispatched from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire to intercept the airliner, which was carrying 297 passengers on PIA's PK709 flight from Lahore to Manchester. It had been due to arrive in Manchester at 13:30.

Once the airliner landed at Stansted, local police took charge of the situation and the fighters returned to base.

Essex Police confirms that two men have been arrested "on suspicion of endangerment of an aircraft".

The men, aged 30 and 41, have been taken to a police station for interview by detectives.